04/06/2025
Tricia Ann Anda's Graduation speech on behalf of all the graduates.
Let me ask you something. What if the person most deserving of this medal never got one?
What if the real valedictorians are not the ones standing on the stage, but are quietly seated among you right now?
If I could remove this medal from my neck and give it someone else, I would. I would hand it to my classmate who worked online jobs and part-time shifts between classes, some with cracked phones, borrowed laptops, selling food, art, anything just to make ends meet.
To the ones who caught chips at dawn, who walked under the heat or in the rain, who paid their own tuition because no one else could.
To those who showed up with tired eyes but hearts that refused to quit; to the one who studied through tears, who cried in silence but still made it to class with a smile. They never complained, and they never asked to be seen, but I saw them.
Because maybe I earned the highest GPA, but they earned my deepest respect. If I may be honest with all of you, I lived comfortably my whole life. I did not have to worry about tuition. I did not have to wake up at 4:00 AM to catch a jeep or walk to school before sunrise.
I did not have to juggle work between classes just to pay enrollment. From preschool up to fourth year college, I was driven to school. My meals were served, my uniforms ironed. All I had to do was to show up.
And that is when I understood what a chrysalis is. It is where strength grows quietly in places no one applauds, that some of the strongest wings form in silence. Their strength humbled me.
Their quiet resilience taught me. And though I may not have lived their story, I saw them, I admire them, and I carry their courage with me. So today, as we leave our chrysalis behind, let us not just fly for ourselves, but become wings for others too.
And before I close, allow me to honor the many hands and hearts behind today's moment.
To the parents and families of the graduates, thank you for the countless sacrifices and unwavering love.
To our janitors, guards, and maintenance staff, thank you for the clean rooms, safe gates, and silent service.
To the one whose name I've whispered in every prayer, thank you, Jesus. You carried me through it all, and this victory is yours. Indeed, there is power in the name of Jesus. And one day, the world will ask us, "Where did you come from?"
And tears and pride, we will answer,
"I came from La Salle, where I was not just prepared to succeed but called to serve."
Because here we were not just trained for the finish line, we were formed for the front lines. The chrysalis was our training ground, quiet, messy and unseen.
But now the wings are out. And as we fly, may we carry not just ambition, but kindness, courage, purpose, and humility. Fly high, yes, but fly wisely. Fly proud. Fly Lasallian.
And wherever we go from here, may we always fly toward the daylight.
Thank you and Congratulations to the class of 2025.
Animo La Salle!
Tricia Ann G. Anda
Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
